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Waitkus MS, Erman EN, Reitman ZJ, Ashley DM. Mechanisms of telomere maintenance and associated therapeutic vulnerabilities in malignant gliomas. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:1012-1024. [PMID: 38285162 PMCID: PMC11145458 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
A majority of cancers (~85%) activate the enzyme telomerase to maintain telomere length over multiple rounds of cellular division. Telomerase-negative cancers activate a distinct, telomerase-independent mechanism of telomere maintenance termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT uses homologous recombination to maintain telomere length and exhibits features of break-induced DNA replication. In malignant gliomas, the activation of either telomerase or ALT is nearly ubiquitous in pediatric and adult tumors, and the frequency with which these distinct telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) is activated varies according to genetically defined glioma subtypes. In this review, we summarize the current state of the field of TMMs and their relevance to glioma biology and therapy. We review the genetic alterations and molecular mechanisms leading to telomerase activation or ALT induction in pediatric and adult gliomas. With this background, we review emerging evidence on strategies for targeting TMMs for glioma therapy. Finally, we comment on critical gaps and issues for moving the field forward to translate our improved understanding of glioma telomere maintenance into better therapeutic strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Waitkus
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elise N Erman
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zachary J Reitman
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Ashley
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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2
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Huang Y, Che X, Wang PW, Qu X. p53/MDM2 signaling pathway in aging, senescence and tumorigenesis. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 101:44-57. [PMID: 38762096 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
A wealth of evidence has emerged that there is an association between aging, senescence and tumorigenesis. Senescence, a biological process by which cells cease to divide and enter a status of permanent cell cycle arrest, contributes to aging and aging-related diseases, including cancer. Aging populations have the higher incidence of cancer due to a lifetime of exposure to cancer-causing agents, reduction of repairing DNA damage, accumulated genetic mutations, and decreased immune system efficiency. Cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, accelerate aging. There is growing evidence that p53/MDM2 (murine double minute 2) axis is critically involved in regulation of aging, senescence and oncogenesis. Therefore, in this review, we describe the functions and mechanisms of p53/MDM2-mediated senescence, aging and carcinogenesis. Moreover, we highlight the small molecular inhibitors, natural compounds and PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) that target p53/MDM2 pathway to influence aging and cancer. Modification of p53/MDM2 could be a potential strategy for treatment of aging, senescence and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youyi Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Provincial key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China
| | - Xiaofang Che
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Provincial key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China
| | - Peter W Wang
- Department of Medicine, Oasis Medical Research Center, Watertown, MA 02472, USA.
| | - Xiujuan Qu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Provincial key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China.
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3
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Luo Q, Wang J, Ge W, Li Z, Mao Y, Wang C, Zhang L. Exploration of the potential causative genes for inflammatory bowel disease: Transcriptome-wide association analysis, Mendelian randomization analysis and Bayesian colocalisation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28944. [PMID: 38617957 PMCID: PMC11015108 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) poses a complex challenge due to its intricate underlying mechanisms, and curative treatments remain elusive. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify genes causally associated with IBD. Methods We extracted blood eQTL data from the GTExv8.ALL.Whole_Blood database, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics of IBD from the IEU GWAS database, and performed a three-fold analysis protocol, including transcriptome-wide association analysis, Mendelian randomisation analysis, Bayesian colocalisation, and subsequent potential therapeutic agents identification. Results We identified four pathogenic genes, namely CARD9, RTEL1, STMN3 and ARFRP1, that promote the development of IBD, encompassing both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Notably, ARFRP1 exhibited the ability to suppress IBD (encompassing UC and CD) development. Regarding drug prediction, cyclophosphamide emerged as a promising novel therapeutic option for IBD, encompassing UC and CD. Conclusion We identified several potential genes related to IBD (UC and CD), including CARD9, RTEL1, STMN3 and ARFRP1, warranting further investigation in functional studies to elucidate underlying disease mechanisms. Additionally, clinical studies exploring the potential of cyclophosphamide as a treatment avenue for IBD are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Luo
- Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- Department of Proctology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Department of Proctology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Zihao Li
- Office of the President, Jiangmen Wuyi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangmen, China
| | - Yuanting Mao
- Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Proctology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Leichang Zhang
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, China
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4
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Mason CE, Sierra MA, Feng HJ, Bailey SM. Telomeres and aging: on and off the planet! Biogerontology 2024; 25:313-327. [PMID: 38581556 PMCID: PMC10998805 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-024-10098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Improving human healthspan in our rapidly aging population has never been more imperative. Telomeres, protective "caps" at the ends of linear chromosomes, are essential for maintaining genome stability of eukaryotic genomes. Due to their physical location and the "end-replication problem" first envisioned by Dr. Alexey Olovnikov, telomeres shorten with cell division, the implications of which are remarkably profound. Telomeres are hallmarks and molecular drivers of aging, as well as fundamental integrating components of the cumulative effects of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that erode telomere length over time. Ongoing telomere attrition and the resulting limit to replicative potential imposed by cellular senescence serves a powerful tumor suppressor function, and also underlies aging and a spectrum of age-related degenerative pathologies, including reduced fertility, dementias, cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, very little data exists regarding the extraordinary stressors and exposures associated with long-duration space exploration and eventual habitation of other planets, nor how such missions will influence telomeres, reproduction, health, disease risk, and aging. Here, we briefly review our current understanding, which has advanced significantly in recent years as a result of the NASA Twins Study, the most comprehensive evaluation of human health effects associated with spaceflight ever conducted. Thus, the Twins Study is at the forefront of personalized space medicine approaches for astronauts and sets the stage for subsequent missions. We also extrapolate from current understanding to future missions, highlighting potential biological and biochemical strategies that may enable human survival, and consider the prospect of longevity in the extreme environment of space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine and WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria A Sierra
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine and WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Tri-Institutional Computational Biology & Medicine Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Henry J Feng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susan M Bailey
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Hill RJ, Bona N, Smink J, Webb HK, Crisp A, Garaycoechea JI, Crossan GP. p53 regulates diverse tissue-specific outcomes to endogenous DNA damage in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2518. [PMID: 38514641 PMCID: PMC10957910 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46844-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA repair deficiency can lead to segmental phenotypes in humans and mice, in which certain tissues lose homeostasis while others remain seemingly unaffected. This may be due to different tissues facing varying levels of damage or having different reliance on specific DNA repair pathways. However, we find that the cellular response to DNA damage determines different tissue-specific outcomes. Here, we use a mouse model of the human XPF-ERCC1 progeroid syndrome (XFE) caused by loss of DNA repair. We find that p53, a central regulator of the cellular response to DNA damage, regulates tissue dysfunction in Ercc1-/- mice in different ways. We show that ablation of p53 rescues the loss of hematopoietic stem cells, and has no effect on kidney, germ cell or brain dysfunction, but exacerbates liver pathology and polyploidisation. Mechanistically, we find that p53 ablation led to the loss of cell-cycle regulation in the liver, with reduced p21 expression. Eventually, p16/Cdkn2a expression is induced, serving as a fail-safe brake to proliferation in the absence of the p53-p21 axis. Taken together, our data show that distinct and tissue-specific functions of p53, in response to DNA damage, play a crucial role in regulating tissue-specific phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross J Hill
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nazareno Bona
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - Job Smink
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hannah K Webb
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alastair Crisp
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - Juan I Garaycoechea
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Gerry P Crossan
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK.
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6
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Şerifoğlu N, Lopes-Bastos B, Ferreira MG. Lack of telomerase reduces cancer incidence and increases lifespan of zebrafish tp53 M214K mutants. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5382. [PMID: 38443436 PMCID: PMC10914805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56153-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activity is restricted in humans and telomere attrition occurs in several tissues accompanying natural aging. Critically short telomeres trigger DNA damage responses and activate p53 which leads to apoptosis or replicative senescence. These processes reduce cell proliferation and disrupt tissue homeostasis, thus contributing to systemic aging. Similarly, zebrafish have restricted telomerase expression, and telomeres shorten to critical length during their lifespan. Telomerase-deficient zebrafish (tert -/-) is a premature model of aging that anticipates aging phenotypes due to early telomere shortening. tert -/- zebrafish have impaired cell proliferation, accumulation of DNA damage markers and p53 response. These cellular defects lead to disruption of tissue homeostasis, resulting in premature infertility, gastrointestinal atrophy, sarcopenia and kyphosis. Such consequences contribute to its premature death. Here we reveal a genetic interdependence between tp53 and telomerase function. Mutation of tp53 abrogates premature aging of tert -/- zebrafish, prolonging male fertility and lifespan. However, it does not fully rescue healthspan. tp53mut tert -/- zebrafish retain high levels of inflammation and increased spontaneous cancer incidence. Conversely, loss of telomerase prolongs the lifespan of tp53mut single mutants. Lack of telomerase reduces two-fold the cancer incidence in double mutants and increases lifetime survival. Thus, we observe a reciprocal rescue of tp53mut and tert -/- that ameliorates lifespan but not spontaneous cancer incidence of tp53mut, likely due to higher levels of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naz Şerifoğlu
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), UMR7284, INSERM U1081, CNRS, Université Cote d'Azur, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Bruno Lopes-Bastos
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), UMR7284, INSERM U1081, CNRS, Université Cote d'Azur, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Miguel Godinho Ferreira
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), UMR7284, INSERM U1081, CNRS, Université Cote d'Azur, 06107, Nice, France.
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Bisht S, Mao Y, Easwaran H. Epigenetic dynamics of aging and cancer development: current concepts from studies mapping aging and cancer epigenomes. Curr Opin Oncol 2024; 36:82-92. [PMID: 38441107 PMCID: PMC10939788 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000001020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review emphasizes the role of epigenetic processes as incidental changes occurring during aging, which, in turn, promote the development of cancer. RECENT FINDINGS Aging is a complex biological process associated with the progressive deterioration of normal physiological functions, making age a significant risk factor for various disorders, including cancer. The increasing longevity of the population has made cancer a global burden, as the risk of developing most cancers increases with age due to the cumulative effect of exposure to environmental carcinogens and DNA replication errors. The classical 'somatic mutation theory' of cancer cause is being challenged by the observation that multiple normal cells harbor cancer driver mutations without resulting in cancer. In this review, we discuss the role of age-associated epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, which occur across all cell types and tissues with advancing age. There is an increasing body of evidence linking these changes with cancer risk and prognosis. SUMMARY A better understanding about the epigenetic changes acquired during aging is critical for comprehending the mechanisms leading to the age-associated increase in cancer and for developing novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Bisht
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yiqing Mao
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hariharan Easwaran
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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8
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Zhang J, Zhang F, Porter KI, Dakup PP, Wang S, Robertson GP, Gaddameedhi S, Zhu J. Telomere dysfunction in Tert knockout mice delays Braf V600E -induced melanoma development. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:548-560. [PMID: 37727982 PMCID: PMC10840707 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase activation is a crucial step in melanomagenesis, often occurring because of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced mutations at the telomerase gene (TERT) promoter and rendering TERT transcription in response to the activated Raf-MAP kinase pathway by BRAFV600E mutation. Due to the excessively long telomeres in mice, this process does not occur during melanomagenesis in mouse models. To investigate the impact of telomere dysfunction on melanomagenesis, BrafV600E was induced in generations 1 and 4 (G1 and G4) of Tert-/- mice. Our findings revealed that, regardless of UVR exposure, melanoma development was delayed in G4 mice, which had shorter telomeres compared to G1 and wild-type C57BL/6J (G0) mice. Moreover, many G4 tumors displayed an accumulation of excessive DNA damage, as evidenced by increased γH2A.X staining. Tumors from UVR-exposed mice exhibited elevated p53 protein expression. Cultured tumor cells isolated from G4 mice displayed abundant chromosomal fusions and rearrangements, indicative of telomere dysfunction in these cells. Additionally, tumor cells derived from UVB-exposed mice exhibited constitutively elevated expression of mutant p53 proteins, suggesting that p53 was a target of UVB-induced mutagenesis. Taken together, our findings suggest that telomere dysfunction hampers melanomagenesis, and targeting telomere crisis-mediated genomic instability may hold promise for the prevention and treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglong Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
| | - Kenneth I. Porter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
| | - Panshak P. Dakup
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Shuwen Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
| | - Gavin P. Robertson
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Shobhan Gaddameedhi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Jiyue Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
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Nassour J, Przetocka S, Karlseder J. Telomeres as hotspots for innate immunity and inflammation. DNA Repair (Amst) 2024; 133:103591. [PMID: 37951043 PMCID: PMC10842095 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Aging is marked by the gradual accumulation of deleterious changes that disrupt organ function, creating an altered physiological state that is permissive for the onset of prevalent human diseases. While the exact mechanisms governing aging remain a subject of ongoing research, there are several cellular and molecular hallmarks that contribute to this biological process. This review focuses on two factors, namely telomere dysfunction and inflammation, which have emerged as crucial contributors to the aging process. We aim to discuss the mechanistic connections between these two distinct hallmarks and provide compelling evidence highlighting the loss of telomere protection as a driver of pro-inflammatory states associated with aging. By reevaluating the interplay between telomeres, innate immunity, and inflammation, we present novel perspectives on the etiology of aging and its associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Nassour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12801 E. 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sara Przetocka
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jan Karlseder
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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10
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Kumar N, Sethi G. Telomerase and hallmarks of cancer: An intricate interplay governing cancer cell evolution. Cancer Lett 2023; 578:216459. [PMID: 37863351 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Transformed cells must acquire specific characteristics to be malignant. Weinberg and Hanahan characterize these characteristics as cancer hallmarks. Though these features are independently driven, substantial signaling crosstalk in transformed cells efficiently promotes these feature acquisitions. Telomerase is an enzyme complex that maintains telomere length. However, its main component, Telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT), has been found to interact with various signaling molecules like cMYC, NF-kB, BRG1 and cooperate in transcription and metabolic reprogramming, acting as a strong proponent of malignant features such as cell death resistance, sustained proliferation, angiogenesis activation, and metastasis, among others. It allows cells to avoid replicative senescence and achieve endless replicative potential. This review summarizes both the canonical and noncanonical functions of TERT and discusses how they promote cancer hallmarks. Understanding the role of Telomerase in promoting cancer hallmarks provides vital insight into the underlying mechanism of cancer genesis and progression and telomerase intervention as a possible therapeutic target for cancer treatment. More investigation into the precise molecular mechanisms of telomerase-mediated impacts on cancer hallmarks will contribute to developing more focused and customized cancer treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology and NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
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11
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Rakotopare J, Toledo F. p53 in the Molecular Circuitry of Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14940. [PMID: 37834388 PMCID: PMC10573108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice with a constitutive increase in p53 activity exhibited features of dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a bone marrow failure syndrome (BMFS) caused by defective telomere maintenance. Further studies confirmed, in humans and mice, that germline mutations affecting TP53 or its regulator MDM4 may cause short telomeres and alter hematopoiesis, but also revealed features of Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) or Fanconi anemia (FA), two BMFSs, respectively, caused by defects in ribosomal function or DNA repair. p53 downregulates several genes mutated in DC, either by binding to promoter sequences (DKC1) or indirectly via the DREAM repressor complex (RTEL1, DCLRE1B), and the p53-DREAM pathway represses 22 additional telomere-related genes. Interestingly, mutations in any DC-causal gene will cause telomere dysfunction and subsequent p53 activation to further promote the repression of p53-DREAM targets. Similarly, ribosomal dysfunction and DNA lesions cause p53 activation, and p53-DREAM targets include the DBA-causal gene TSR2, at least 9 FA-causal genes, and 38 other genes affecting ribosomes or the FA pathway. Furthermore, patients with BMFSs may exhibit brain abnormalities, and p53-DREAM represses 16 genes mutated in microcephaly or cerebellar hypoplasia. In sum, positive feedback loops and the repertoire of p53-DREAM targets likely contribute to partial phenotypic overlaps between BMFSs of distinct molecular origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Rakotopare
- Genetics of Tumor Suppression, Institut Curie, CEDEX 05, 75248 Paris, France;
- CNRS UMR3244, 75005 Paris, France
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Franck Toledo
- Genetics of Tumor Suppression, Institut Curie, CEDEX 05, 75248 Paris, France;
- CNRS UMR3244, 75005 Paris, France
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
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Rakotopare J, Lejour V, Duval C, Eldawra E, Escoffier H, Toledo F. A systematic approach identifies p53-DREAM pathway target genes associated with blood or brain abnormalities. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050376. [PMID: 37661832 PMCID: PMC10581385 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
p53 (encoded by Trp53) is a tumor suppressor, but mouse models have revealed that increased p53 activity may cause bone marrow failure, likely through dimerization partner, RB-like, E2F4/E2F5 and MuvB (DREAM) complex-mediated gene repression. Here, we designed a systematic approach to identify p53-DREAM pathway targets, the repression of which might contribute to abnormal hematopoiesis. We used Gene Ontology analysis to study transcriptomic changes associated with bone marrow cell differentiation, then chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) data to identify DREAM-bound promoters. We next created positional frequency matrices to identify evolutionary conserved sequence elements potentially bound by DREAM. The same approach was developed to find p53-DREAM targets associated with brain abnormalities, also observed in mice with increased p53 activity. Putative DREAM-binding sites were found for 151 candidate target genes, of which 106 are mutated in a blood or brain genetic disorder. Twenty-one DREAM-binding sites were tested and found to impact gene expression in luciferase assays, to notably regulate genes mutated in dyskeratosis congenita (Rtel1), Fanconi anemia (Fanca), Diamond-Blackfan anemia (Tsr2), primary microcephaly [Casc5 (or Knl1), Ncaph and Wdr62] and pontocerebellar hypoplasia (Toe1). These results provide clues on the role of the p53-DREAM pathway in regulating hematopoiesis and brain development, with implications for tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Rakotopare
- Genetics of Tumor Suppression, Institut Curie, Paris 75248 Cedex 05, France
- CNRS UMR3244, Paris 75005, France
- Sorbonne University, Paris 75005, France
- PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Vincent Lejour
- Genetics of Tumor Suppression, Institut Curie, Paris 75248 Cedex 05, France
- CNRS UMR3244, Paris 75005, France
- Sorbonne University, Paris 75005, France
- PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Carla Duval
- Genetics of Tumor Suppression, Institut Curie, Paris 75248 Cedex 05, France
- CNRS UMR3244, Paris 75005, France
- Sorbonne University, Paris 75005, France
- PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Eliana Eldawra
- Genetics of Tumor Suppression, Institut Curie, Paris 75248 Cedex 05, France
- CNRS UMR3244, Paris 75005, France
- Sorbonne University, Paris 75005, France
- PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | | | - Franck Toledo
- Genetics of Tumor Suppression, Institut Curie, Paris 75248 Cedex 05, France
- CNRS UMR3244, Paris 75005, France
- Sorbonne University, Paris 75005, France
- PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
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13
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Chaux F, Agier N, Garrido C, Fischer G, Eberhard S, Xu Z. Telomerase-independent survival leads to a mosaic of complex subtelomere rearrangements in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Genome Res 2023; 33:1582-1598. [PMID: 37580131 PMCID: PMC10620057 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278043.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres and subtelomeres, the genomic regions located at chromosome extremities, are essential for genome stability in eukaryotes. In the absence of the canonical maintenance mechanism provided by telomerase, telomere shortening induces genome instability. The landscape of the ensuing genome rearrangements is not accessible by short-read sequencing. Here, we leverage Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read sequencing to survey the extensive repertoire of genome rearrangements in telomerase mutants of the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii In telomerase-mutant strains grown for hundreds of generations, most chromosome extremities were capped by short telomere sequences that were either recruited de novo from other loci or maintained in a telomerase-independent manner. Other extremities did not end with telomeres but only with repeated subtelomeric sequences. The subtelomeric elements, including rDNA, were massively rearranged and involved in breakage-fusion-bridge cycles, translocations, recombinations, and chromosome circularization. These events were established progressively over time and displayed heterogeneity at the subpopulation level. New telomere-capped extremities composed of sequences originating from more internal genomic regions were associated with high DNA methylation, suggesting that de novo heterochromatin formation contributes to the restoration of chromosome end stability in C. reinhardtii The diversity of alternative strategies present in the same organism to maintain chromosome integrity and the variety of rearrangements found in telomerase mutants are remarkable, and illustrate genome plasticity at short timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Chaux
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7238, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Agier
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7238, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Clotilde Garrido
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7238, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Gilles Fischer
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7238, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Stephan Eberhard
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7141, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Laboratory of Chloroplast Biology and Light-Sensing in Microalgae, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Zhou Xu
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7238, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, 75005 Paris, France;
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14
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Holloway K, Neherin K, Dam KU, Zhang H. Cellular senescence and neurodegeneration. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1247-1262. [PMID: 37115318 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02565-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Advancing age is a major risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The worldwide prevalence of AD is approximately 50 million people, and this number is projected to increase substantially. The molecular mechanisms underlying the aging-associated susceptibility to cognitive impairment in AD are largely unknown. As a hallmark of aging, cellular senescence is a significant contributor to aging and age-related diseases including AD. Senescent neurons and glial cells have been detected to accumulate in the brains of AD patients and mouse models. Importantly, selective elimination of senescent cells ameliorates amyloid beta and tau pathologies and improves cognition in AD mouse models, indicating a critical role of cellular senescence in AD pathogenesis. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying when and how cellular senescence contributes to AD pathogenesis remain unclear. This review provides an overview of cellular senescence and discusses recent advances in the understanding of the impact of cellular senescence on AD pathogenesis, with brief discussions of the possible role of cellular senescence in other neurodegenerative diseases including Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher Holloway
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Kashfia Neherin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Kha Uyen Dam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
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15
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Stock AJ, Ayyar S, Kashyap A, Wang Y, Yanai H, Starost MF, Tanaka-Yano M, Bodogai M, Sun C, Wang Y, Gong Y, Puligilla C, Fang EF, Bohr VA, Liu Y, Beerman I. Boosting NAD ameliorates hematopoietic impairment linked to short telomeres in vivo. GeroScience 2023; 45:2213-2228. [PMID: 36826621 PMCID: PMC10651621 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00752-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Short telomeres are a defining feature of telomere biology disorders (TBDs), including dyskeratosis congenita (DC), for which there is no effective general cure. Patients with TBDs often experience bone marrow failure. NAD, an essential metabolic coenzyme, is decreased in models of DC. Herein, using telomerase reverse transcriptase null (Tert-/-) mice with critically short telomeres, we investigated the effect of NAD supplementation with the NAD precursor, nicotinamide riboside (NR), on features of health span disrupted by telomere impairment. Our results revealed that NR ameliorated body weight loss in Tert-/- mice and improved telomere integrity and telomere dysfunction-induced systemic inflammation. NR supplementation also mitigated myeloid skewing of Tert-/- hematopoietic stem cells. Furthermore, NR alleviated villous atrophy and inflammation in the small intestine of Tert-/- transplant recipient mice. Altogether, our findings support NAD intervention as a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance aspects of health span compromised by telomere attrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Stock
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Saipriya Ayyar
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amogh Kashyap
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yunong Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hagai Yanai
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew F Starost
- Division of Veterinary Resources, Building 14E, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mayuri Tanaka-Yano
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Monica Bodogai
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chongkui Sun
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yajun Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yi Gong
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chandrakala Puligilla
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Evandro F Fang
- DNA Repair Section, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, 1478, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Vilhelm A Bohr
- DNA Repair Section, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yie Liu
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Isabel Beerman
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute On Aging/National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, USA.
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16
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Aquilanti E, Kageler L, Watson J, Baird DM, Jones RE, Hodges M, Szegletes ZM, Doench JG, Strathdee CA, Figueroa JRMF, Ligon KL, Beck M, Wen PY, Meyerson M. Telomerase inhibition is an effective therapeutic strategy in TERT promoter-mutant glioblastoma models with low tumor volume. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1275-1285. [PMID: 36694348 PMCID: PMC10326479 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with 5-year survival rates of only 6%. Glioblastoma-targeted therapeutics have been challenging to develop due to significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) promoter mutations are the most common known clonal oncogenic mutations in glioblastoma. Telomerase is therefore considered to be a promising therapeutic target against this tumor. However, an important limitation of this strategy is that cell death does not occur immediately after telomerase ablation, but rather after several cell divisions required to reach critically short telomeres. We, therefore, hypothesize that telomerase inhibition would only be effective in glioblastomas with low tumor burden. METHODS We used CRISPR interference to knock down TERT expression in TERT promoter-mutant glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived models. We then measured viability using serial proliferation assays. We also assessed for features of telomere crisis by measuring telomere length and chromatin bridge formation. Finally, we used a doxycycline-inducible CRISPR interference system to knock down TERT expression in vivo early and late in tumor development. RESULTS Upon TERT inactivation, glioblastoma cells lose their proliferative ability over time and exhibit telomere shortening and chromatin bridge formation. In vivo, survival is only prolonged when TERT knockdown is induced shortly after tumor implantation, but not when the tumor burden is high. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the idea that telomerase inhibition would be most effective at treating glioblastomas with low tumor burden, for example in the adjuvant setting after surgical debulking and chemoradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Aquilanti
- Division of Neuro Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauren Kageler
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacqueline Watson
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Duncan M Baird
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Rhiannon E Jones
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Marie Hodges
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Zsofia M Szegletes
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John G Doench
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Craig A Strathdee
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Keith L Ligon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Beck
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patrick Y Wen
- Division of Neuro Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Meyerson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Cancer Genomics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Genetics and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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El Maï M, Bird M, Allouche A, Targen S, Şerifoğlu N, Lopes-Bastos B, Guigonis JM, Kang D, Pourcher T, Yue JX, Ferreira MG. Gut-specific telomerase expression counteracts systemic aging in telomerase-deficient zebrafish. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:567-584. [PMID: 37142828 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00401-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomere shortening is a hallmark of aging and is counteracted by telomerase. As in humans, the zebrafish gut is one of the organs with the fastest rate of telomere decline, triggering early tissue dysfunction during normal zebrafish aging and in prematurely aged telomerase mutants. However, whether telomere-dependent aging of an individual organ, the gut, causes systemic aging is unknown. Here we show that tissue-specific telomerase expression in the gut can prevent telomere shortening and rescues premature aging of tert-/-. Induction of telomerase rescues gut senescence and low cell proliferation, while restoring tissue integrity, inflammation and age-dependent microbiota dysbiosis. Averting gut aging causes systemic beneficial impacts, rescuing aging of distant organs such as reproductive and hematopoietic systems. Conclusively, we show that gut-specific telomerase expression extends the lifespan of tert-/- by 40%, while ameliorating natural aging. Our work demonstrates that gut-specific rescue of telomerase expression leading to telomere elongation is sufficient to systemically counteract aging in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounir El Maï
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Malia Bird
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Asma Allouche
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Seniye Targen
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Naz Şerifoğlu
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Bruno Lopes-Bastos
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Jean-Marie Guigonis
- Laboratory Transporter in Imaging and Radiotherapy in Oncology, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frederic Joliot, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Da Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Thierry Pourcher
- Laboratory Transporter in Imaging and Radiotherapy in Oncology, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frederic Joliot, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Jia-Xing Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miguel Godinho Ferreira
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.
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18
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Saha G, Roy S, Basu M, Ghosh MK. USP7 - a crucial regulator of cancer hallmarks. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188903. [PMID: 37127084 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Over the course of three decades of study, the deubiquitinase Herpesvirus associated Ubiquitin-Specific Protease/Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 7 (HAUSP/USP7) has gradually come to be recognized as a crucially important molecule in cellular physiology. The fact that USP7 is overexpressed in a number of cancers, including breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers, supports the idea that USP7 is also an important regulator of tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss USP7's function in relation to the cancer hallmarks described by Hanahan and Weinberg. This post-translational modifier can support increased proliferation, block unfavorable growth signals, stop cell death, and support an unstable cellular genome by manipulating key players in the pertinent signalling circuit. It is interesting to note that USP7 also aids in the stabilization of molecules that support angiogenesis and metastasis. Targeting USP7 has now emerged as a crucial component of USP7 research because pharmacological inhibition of USP7 supports p53-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Efficacious USP7 inhibition is currently being investigated in both synthetic and natural compounds, but issues with selectivity and a lack of co-crystal structure have hindered USP7 inhibition from being tested in clinical settings. Moreover, the development of new, more effective USP7 inhibitors and their encouraging implications by numerous groups give us a glimmer of hope for USP7-targeting medications as effective substitutes for hazardous cancer chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gouranga Saha
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 & 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, PIN - 700032, India
| | - Srija Roy
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 & 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, PIN - 700032, India
| | - Malini Basu
- Department of Microbiology, Dhruba Chand Halder College, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, PIN - 743372, India
| | - Mrinal K Ghosh
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 & 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, PIN - 700032, India.
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19
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Schratz KE, Flasch DA, Atik CC, Cosner ZL, Blackford AL, Yang W, Gable DL, Vellanki PJ, Xiang Z, Gaysinskaya V, Vonderheide RH, Rooper LM, Zhang J, Armanios M. T cell immune deficiency rather than chromosome instability predisposes patients with short telomere syndromes to squamous cancers. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:807-817.e6. [PMID: 37037617 PMCID: PMC10188244 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Patients with short telomere syndromes (STS) are predisposed to developing cancer, believed to stem from chromosome instability in neoplastic cells. We tested this hypothesis in a large cohort assembled over the last 20 years. We found that the only solid cancers to which patients with STS are predisposed are squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, anus, or skin, a spectrum reminiscent of cancers seen in patients with immunodeficiency. Whole-genome sequencing showed no increase in chromosome instability, such as translocations or chromothripsis. Moreover, STS-associated cancers acquired telomere maintenance mechanisms, including telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations. A detailed study of the immune status of patients with STS revealed a striking T cell immunodeficiency at the time of cancer diagnosis. A similar immunodeficiency that impaired tumor surveillance was documented in mice with short telomeres. We conclude that STS patients’ predisposition to solid cancers is due to T cell exhaustion rather than autonomous defects in the neoplastic cells themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Schratz
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Telomere Center at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Diane A Flasch
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Christine C Atik
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Zoe L Cosner
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Amanda L Blackford
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Wentao Yang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Dustin L Gable
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Paz J Vellanki
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Zhimin Xiang
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Valeriya Gaysinskaya
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Robert H Vonderheide
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perlman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lisa M Rooper
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jinghui Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mary Armanios
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Telomere Center at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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20
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Li S, Liu Z, Zhang J, Li L. Links between telomere dysfunction and hallmarks of aging. MUTATION RESEARCH/GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2023; 888:503617. [PMID: 37188431 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2023.503617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by the gradual loss of physiological integrity, leading to impaired function and increased risk of death. This deterioration is the main risk factor for the great majority of chronic diseases, which account for most of the morbidity, death and medical expenses. The hallmarks of aging comprise diverse molecular mechanisms and cell systems, which are interrelated and coordinated to drive the aging process. This review focuses on telomere to analyze the interrelationships between telomere dysfunction and other aging hallmarks and their relative contributions to the initiation and progression of age-related diseases (such as neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and cancer), which will contribute to determine drug targets, improve human health in the aging process with minimal side effects and provide information for the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases.
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21
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Moustakli E, Zikopoulos A, Sakaloglou P, Bouba I, Sofikitis N, Georgiou I. Functional association between telomeres, oxidation and mitochondria. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1107215. [PMID: 36890798 PMCID: PMC9986632 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1107215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior research has substantiated the vital role of telomeres in human fertility. Telomeres are prerequisites for maintaining the integrity of chromosomes by preventing the loss of genetic material following replication events. Little is known about the association between sperm telomere length and mitochondrial capacity involving its structure and functions. Mitochondria are structurally and functionally distinct organelles that are located on the spermatozoon's midpiece. Mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which is necessary for sperm motility and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). While a moderate concentration of ROS is critical for egg-sperm fusion, and fertilization, excessive ROS generation is primarily related to telomere shortening, sperm DNA fragmentation, and alterations in the methylation pattern leading to male infertility. This review aims to highlight the functional connection between mitochondria biogenesis and telomere length in male infertility, as mitochondrial lesions have a damaging impact on telomere length, leading both to telomere lengthening and reprogramming of mitochondrial biosynthesis. Furthermore, it aims to shed light on how both inositol and antioxidants can positively affect male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthalia Moustakli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Prodromos Sakaloglou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioanna Bouba
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Sofikitis
- Department of Urology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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22
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de Oliveira FM, Jamur VR, Merfort LW, Pozzo AR, Mai S. Three-dimensional nuclear telomere architecture and differential expression of aurora kinase genes in chronic myeloid leukemia to measure cell transformation. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1024. [PMID: 36175852 PMCID: PMC9520804 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10094-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Telomere dysfunction results in aneuploidy, and ongoing chromosomal abnormalities. The three-dimensional (3D) nuclear organization of telomeres allows for a distinction between normal and tumor cells. On the other hand, aurora kinase genes (AURKA and AURKB) play an important role regulating the cell cycle. A correlation between overexpression of aurora kinase genes and clinical aggressiveness has been demonstrated in different types of neoplasias. To better understand cellular and molecular mechanisms of CML evolution, it was examined telomere dysfunction (alterations in the 3D nuclear telomere architecture), and the expression levels of AURKA and AURKB genes in two clinical distinct subgroups of CML samples, from the same patient. Methods Eighteen CML patients, in total, 36 bone marrow samples (18 patients, chronic vs. accelerated/blast phase) were eligible for 3D telomeric investigations. Quantitative 3D imaging, cytologic diagnosis and cytogenetic determination of additional chromosomal abnormalities were assessed according to standard protocols. Results Using TeloView software, two CML subgroups were defined based on their 3D telomeric profiles, reflecting the different stages of the disease (chronic vs. accelerated/blast phase). Statistical analyses showed significant differences between the CML subgroups (p < 0.001). We also found that AURKA and AURKB mRNA were expressed at significantly higher levels in both CML subgroups, when compared with healthy donors. Our findings suggest that the evolution of CML progresses from a low to a high level of telomere dysfunction, that is, from an early stage to a more aggressive stage, followed by disease transformation, as demonstrated by telomere, additional chromosomal abnormalities, and gene expression profile dynamics. Conclusions Thus, we demonstrated that 3D telomere organization, in accordance with the genomic instability observed in CML samples were able to distinguish subgroup CML patients. Classifying CML patients based on these characteristics might represent an important strategy to define better therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Morato de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Câmpus Jatobá - Cidade Universitária, Federal University of Jataí, BR 364, km 195, n° 3800, Jataí, CEP 75801-615, Brazil.
| | - Valderez Ravaglio Jamur
- Complexo Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 80060-240, Brazil
| | - Lismeri Wuicik Merfort
- Complexo Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 80060-240, Brazil
| | - Aline Rangel Pozzo
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology CancerCare Manitoba, The Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Sabine Mai
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology CancerCare Manitoba, The Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada.
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23
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McKinney AM, Mathur R, Stevers NO, Molinaro AM, Chang SM, Phillips JJ, Costello JF. GABP couples oncogene signaling to telomere regulation in TERT promoter mutant cancer. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111344. [PMID: 36130485 PMCID: PMC9534059 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activation counteracts senescence and telomere erosion caused by uncontrolled proliferation. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification drives proliferation while telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) mutations underlie telomerase reactivation through recruitment of GA-binding protein (GABP). EGFR amplification and TERTp mutations typically co-occur in glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. To determine if these two frequent alterations driving proliferation and immortality are functionally connected, we combine analyses of copy number, mRNA, and protein data from tumor tissue with pharmacologic and genetic perturbations. We demonstrate that proliferation arrest decreases TERT expression in a GABP-dependent manner and elucidate a critical proliferation-to-immortality pathway from EGFR to TERT expression selectively from the mutant TERTp through activation of AMP-mediated kinase (AMPK) and GABP upregulation. EGFR-AMPK signaling promotes telomerase activity and maintains telomere length. These results define how the tumor cell immortality mechanism keeps pace with persistent oncogene signaling and cell cycling. TERT promoter mutations are common in human cancer and confer cellular immortality. McKinney et al. describe the interaction between TERT promoter mutations, EGFR amplification, and the cell cycle in glioblastoma. The results demonstrate how proliferation drivers cooperate with telomere maintenance mechanisms to counteract telomere shortening caused by unlimited cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M McKinney
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Radhika Mathur
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nicholas O Stevers
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Annette M Molinaro
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Susan M Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Joanna J Phillips
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Joseph F Costello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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24
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Macha SJ, Koneru B, Burrow TA, Zhu C, Savitski D, Rahman RL, Ronaghan CA, Nance J, McCoy K, Eslinger C, Reynolds CP. Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres in Cancer Confers a Vulnerability to Reactivation of p53 Function. Cancer Res 2022; 82:3345-3358. [PMID: 35947641 PMCID: PMC9566554 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A subset of cancers across multiple histologies with predominantly poor outcomes use the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism to maintain telomere length, which can be identified with robust biomarkers. ALT has been reported to be prevalent in high-risk neuroblastoma and certain sarcomas, and ALT cancers are a major clinical challenge that lack targeted therapeutic approaches. Here, we found ALT in a variety of pediatric and adult cancer histologies, including carcinomas. Patient-derived ALT cancer cell lines from neuroblastomas, sarcomas, and carcinomas were hypersensitive to the p53 reactivator eprenetapopt (APR-246) relative to telomerase-positive (TA+) models. Constitutive telomere damage signaling in ALT cells activated ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase to phosphorylate p53, which resulted in selective ALT sensitivity to APR-246. Treatment with APR-246 combined with irinotecan achieved complete responses in mice xenografted with ALT neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and breast cancer and delayed tumor growth in ALT colon cancer xenografts, while the combination had limited efficacy in TA+ tumor models. A large number of adult and pediatric cancers present with the ALT phenotype, which confers a uniquely high sensitivity to reactivation of p53. These data support clinical evaluation of a combinatorial approach using APR-246 and irinotecan in ALT patients with cancer. SIGNIFICANCE This work demonstrates that constitutive activation of ATM in chemotherapy-refractory ALT cancer cells renders them hypersensitive to reactivation of p53 function by APR-246, indicating a potential strategy to overcome therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn J. Macha
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Balakrishna Koneru
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Trevor A. Burrow
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Charles Zhu
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Dzmitry Savitski
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Rakhshanda L. Rahman
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Catherine A. Ronaghan
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Jonas Nance
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Kristyn McCoy
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Cody Eslinger
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - C. Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Corresponding author. C. Patrick Reynolds, MD PhD, Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; 3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 9445, Lubbock, Texas, USA. 79430-6450,
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25
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Borges G, Criqui M, Harrington L. Tieing together loose ends: telomere instability in cancer and aging. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3380-3396. [PMID: 35920280 PMCID: PMC9490142 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is essential for maintaining genome integrity in both normal and cancer cells. Without functional telomeres, chromosomes lose their protective structure and undergo fusion and breakage events that drive further genome instability, including cell arrest or death. One means by which this loss can be overcome in stem cells and cancer cells is via re‐addition of G‐rich telomeric repeats by the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). During aging of somatic tissues, however, insufficient telomerase expression leads to a proliferative arrest called replicative senescence, which is triggered when telomeres reach a critically short threshold that induces a DNA damage response. Cancer cells express telomerase but do not entirely escape telomere instability as they often possess short telomeres; hence there is often selection for genetic alterations in the TERT promoter that result in increased telomerase expression. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the consequences of telomere instability in cancer and aging, and outline the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in exploiting the reliance of cells on telomere maintenance for preserving genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Borges
- University of Montreal, Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, 2950 chemin Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1J4
| | - Mélanie Criqui
- University of Montreal, Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, 2950 chemin Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1J4
| | - Lea Harrington
- University of Montreal, Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, 2950 chemin Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1J4.,Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4
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26
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Sikder S, Arunkumar G, Melters DP, Dalal Y. Breaking the aging epigenetic barrier. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:943519. [PMID: 35966762 PMCID: PMC9366916 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.943519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inexorable event occurring universally for all organisms characterized by the progressive loss of cell function. However, less is known about the key events occurring inside the nucleus in the process of aging. The advent of chromosome capture techniques and extensive modern sequencing technologies have illuminated a rather dynamic structure of chromatin inside the nucleus. As cells advance along their life cycle, chromatin condensation states alter which leads to a different epigenetic landscape, correlated with modified gene expression. The exact factors mediating these changes in the chromatin structure and function remain elusive in the context of aging cells. The accumulation of DNA damage, reactive oxygen species and loss of genomic integrity as cells cease to divide can contribute to a tumor stimulating environment. In this review, we focus on genomic and epigenomic changes occurring in an aged cell which can contribute to age-related tumor formation.
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Abstract
The number of (TTAGGG)n repeats at the ends of chromosomes is highly variable between individual chromosomes, between different cells and between species. Progressive loss of telomere repeats limits the proliferation of pre-malignant human cells but also contributes to aging by inducing apoptosis and senescence in normal cells. Despite enormous progress in understanding distinct pathways that result in loss and gain of telomeric DNA in different cell types, many questions remain. Further studies are needed to delineate the role of damage to telomeric DNA, replication errors, chromatin structure, liquid-liquid phase transition, telomeric transcripts (TERRA) and secondary DNA structures such as guanine quadruplex structures, R-loops and T-loops in inducing gains and losses of telomere repeats in different cell types. Limitations of current telomere length measurements techniques and differences in telomere biology between species and different cell types complicate generalizations about the role of telomeres in aging and cancer. Here some of the factors regulating the telomere length in embryonic and adult cells in mammals are discussed from a mechanistic and evolutionary perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lansdorp
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia (BC) Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Peter Lansdorp,
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28
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Phillippe M. Telomeres, oxidative stress, and timing for spontaneous term and preterm labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 227:148-162. [PMID: 35460626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes located at the distal ends of chromosomes. In adults, progressive telomere shortening occurs throughout the lifetime and is thought to contribute to progressive aging, physiological senescence, multiorgan dysfunction, and ultimately, death. As discussed in this review, multiple lines of evidence provide support for the biological plausibility that a telomere-based clock mechanism also determines the length of gestation, leading to the onset of labor (parturition). After telomere expansion at the beginning of pregnancy, the telomere lengths in the gestational tissues (ie, the placenta and fetal membranes) progressively shorten throughout the remainder of pregnancy. The rate of telomere shortening can be accelerated by conditions that affect the mother and result in oxidative stress. Preterm births in the United States are associated with multiple risk factors that are linked with increased oxidative stress. Antioxidant vitamins (ie, vitamins E and C) mitigate the effects of oxidative stress and delay or prevent telomere shortening. Clinical trials with vitamins E and C and with multivitamins started during the periconception period have been associated with reduced rates of preterm births. In the United States, African-American women have a 2-3-fold higher rate of preterm birth. African-American women have multiple risk factors for premature birth, all of which are distinct and potentially additive with regard to epigenetic telomere shortening. The "weathering effect" is the hypothesis to explain the increased rates of chronic illness, disabilities, and early death observed in African-Americans. With regard to pregnancy, accelerated weathering with the associated telomere shortening in the gestational tissues would not only explain the preterm birth disparity but could also explain why highly educated, affluent African-American women continue to have an increased rate of preterm birth. These studies suggest that the racial disparities in preterm birth are potentially mediated by telomere shortening produced by lifetime or even generational exposure to the effects of systemic racism and socioeconomic marginalization. In conclusion, this review presents multiple lines of evidence supporting a novel hypothesis regarding the biological clock mechanism that determines the length of pregnancy, and it opens the possibility of new approaches to prevent or reduce the rate of spontaneous preterm birth.
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29
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Jablonowski CM, Gil HJ, Pinto EM, Pichavaram P, Fleming AM, Clay MR, Hu D, Morton CL, Pruett-Miller SM, Hansen BS, Chen X, Jones KMD, Liu Y, Ma X, Yang J, Davidoff AM, Zambetti GP, Murphy AJ. TERT Expression in Wilms Tumor Is Regulated by Promoter Mutation or Hypermethylation, WT1, and N-MYC. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071655. [PMID: 35406427 PMCID: PMC8996936 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The telomerase enzyme adds repetitive genetic sequences to the ends of chromosomes called telomeres to prevent cellular senescence. Gain of telomerase function is one of the hallmarks of human cancer. The telomerase protein is coded by the gene TERT and increased TERT RNA levels have been associated with disease relapse in Wilms tumor, the most common kidney cancer of childhood. This study aimed to determine the mechanisms of increased TERT expression in Wilms tumor. This study found mutations in the TERT promoter, increased methylation of the TERT promoter, and genomic copy number amplifications of TERT as potential mechanisms of TERT activation. Conversely, this study found that inactivating WT1 mutation was associated with low TERT RNA levels and telomerase activity. N-MYC overexpression in Wilms tumor cells resulted in increased TERT promoter activity and TERT transcription. TERT transcription is associated with molecular and histologic subgroups in Wilms tumor and telomere-targeted therapies warrant future investigation. Abstract Increased TERT mRNA is associated with disease relapse in favorable histology Wilms tumor (WT). This study sought to understand the mechanism of increased TERT expression by determining the association between TERT and WT1 and N-MYC, two proteins important in Wilms tumor pathogenesis that have been shown to regulate TERT expression. Three out of 45 (6.7%) WTs and the corresponding patient-derived xenografts harbored canonical gain-of-function mutations in the TERT promoter. This study identified near ubiquitous hypermethylation of the TERT promoter region in WT compared to normal kidney. WTs with biallelic inactivating mutations in WT1 (7/45, 15.6%) were found to have lower TERT expression by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR and lower telomerase activity determined by the telomerase repeat amplification protocol. Anaplastic histology and increased percentage of blastema were positively correlated with higher TERT expression and telomerase activity. In vitro shRNA knockdown of WT1 resulted in decreased expression of TERT, reduced colony formation, and decreased proliferation of WiT49, an anaplastic WT cell line with wild-type WT1. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of WT1 resulted in decreased expression of telomere-related gene pathways. However, an inducible Wt1-knockout mouse model showed no relationship between Wt1 knockout and Tert expression in normal murine nephrogenesis, suggesting that WT1 and TERT are coupled in transformed cells but not in normal kidney tissues. N-MYC overexpression resulted in increased TERT promoter activity and TERT transcription. Thus, multiple mechanisms of TERT activation are involved in WT and are associated with anaplastic histology and increased blastema. This study is novel because it identifies potential mechanisms of TERT activation in Wilms tumor that could be of therapeutic interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M. Jablonowski
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Hyea Jin Gil
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Emilia M. Pinto
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (E.M.P.); (G.P.Z.)
| | - Prahalathan Pichavaram
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Andrew M. Fleming
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Michael R. Clay
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Dongli Hu
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Christopher L. Morton
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Shondra M. Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (S.M.P.-M.); (B.S.H.)
| | - Baranda S. Hansen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (S.M.P.-M.); (B.S.H.)
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (X.C.); (K.M.D.J.); (Y.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Karissa M. Dieseldorff Jones
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (X.C.); (K.M.D.J.); (Y.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Yanling Liu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (X.C.); (K.M.D.J.); (Y.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Xiaotu Ma
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (X.C.); (K.M.D.J.); (Y.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Andrew M. Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Gerard P. Zambetti
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (E.M.P.); (G.P.Z.)
| | - Andrew J. Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 133, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (C.M.J.); (H.J.G.); (P.P.); (A.M.F.); (D.H.); (C.L.M.); (J.Y.); (A.M.D.)
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Correspondence:
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Kato H, Maezawa Y, Nishijima D, Iwamoto E, Takeda J, Kanamori T, Yamaga M, Mishina T, Takeda Y, Izumi S, Hino Y, Nishi H, Ishiko J, Takeuchi M, Kaneko H, Koshizaka M, Mimura N, Kuzuya M, Sakaida E, Takemoto M, Shiraishi Y, Miyano S, Ogawa S, Iwama A, Sanada M, Yokote K. High prevalence of myeloid malignancies in progeria with Werner syndrome is associated with p53 insufficiency. Exp Hematol 2022; 109:11-17. [PMID: 35240258 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Werner syndrome (WS) is a progeroid syndrome caused by mutations in the WRN gene, which encodes the RecQ type DNA helicase for the unwinding of unusual DNA structures and is implicated in DNA replication, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. WS patients are prone to develop malignant neoplasms, including hematological malignancies. However, the pathogenesis of WS-associated hematological malignancies remains uncharacterized. Here we investigated the somatic gene mutations in WS-associated MDS/AML. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 4 WS patients with MDS/AML revealed that all patients had somatic mutations in TP53 but no other recurrent mutations in MDS/AML. TP53 mutations were identified at low allele frequencies at more than one year before the MDS/AML stage. All 4 patients had complex chromosomal abnormalities including those that involved TP53. Targeted sequencing of 9 WS patients without apparent blood abnormalities did not detect recurrent mutations in MDS/AML except for a PPM1D mutation. These results suggest that WS patients are apt to acquire TP53 mutations and/or chromosomal abnormalities involving TP53, rather than other MDS/AML-related mutations. TP53 mutations are frequently associated with prior exposure to chemotherapy; however, all 4 WS patients with TP53 mutations/deletions had not received any prior chemotherapy, suggesting a pathogenic link between WRN mutations and p53 insufficiency. These results indicate that WS hematopoietic stem cells with WRN insufficiency acquire competitive fitness by inactivating p53, which may cause complex chromosomal abnormalities and the subsequent development of myeloid malignancies. These findings promote our understanding of the pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies associated with progeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisaya Kato
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Maezawa
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Dai Nishijima
- Department of Advanced Diagnosis, Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Eisuke Iwamoto
- Department of Advanced Diagnosis, Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - June Takeda
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Kanamori
- Department of Advanced Diagnosis, Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masaya Yamaga
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tatsuzo Mishina
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Hematology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yusuke Takeda
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Hematology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shintaro Izumi
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Hematology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yutaro Hino
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Hematology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nishi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jun Ishiko
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takeuchi
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiyori Kaneko
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaya Koshizaka
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Mimura
- Department of Hematology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan; Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masafumi Kuzuya
- Department of Community Healthcare and Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Emiko Sakaida
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Hematology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Minoru Takemoto
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuichi Shiraishi
- Division of Genome Analysis Platform Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- M&D Data Science Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seishi Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.; Department of Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Atsushi Iwama
- Division of Stem Cell and Molecular Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratoty of Cellular and Molecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Masashi Sanada
- Department of Advanced Diagnosis, Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Koutaro Yokote
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.
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Van Der Stukken C, Nawrot TS, Alfano R, Wang C, Langie SAS, Plusquin M, Janssen BG, Martens DS. The telomere-mitochondrial axis of aging in newborns. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:1627-1650. [PMID: 35169104 PMCID: PMC8908926 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Aging starts at the beginning of life as evidenced by high variability in telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc) at birth. Whether p53 and PGC-1α are connected to these age-related markers in early life is unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that these hallmarks of aging are associated at birth. In 613 newborns from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, p53 and PGC-1α protein levels were measured in cord plasma, while TL and mtDNAc were measured in both cord blood and placental tissue. Cord blood methylation data of genes corresponding to the measured protein levels were available from the Human MethylationEPIC 850K BeadChip array. Pearson correlations and linear regression models were applied while accounting for selected covariates. In cord, a 10% increase in TL was associated with 5.22% (95% CI: 3.26 to 7.22; p < 0.0001) higher mtDNAc and −2.66% (95% CI: –5.04 to −0.23%; p = 0.032) lower p53 plasma level. In placenta, a 10% increase in TL was associated with 5.46% (95% CI: 3.82 to 7.13%; p < 0.0001) higher mtDNAc and −2.42% (95% CI: −4.29 to −0.52; p = 0.0098) lower p53 plasma level. Methylation level of TP53 was correlated with TL and mtDNAc in cord blood and with cord plasma p53 level. Our study suggests that p53 may be an important factor both at the protein and methylation level for the telomere-mitochondrial axis of aging at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rossella Alfano
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Sabine A S Langie
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
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32
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Sahm V, Maurer C, Baumeister T, Anand A, Strangmann J, Schmid RM, Wang TC, Quante M. Telomere shortening accelerates tumor initiation in the L2-IL1B mouse model of Barrett esophagus and emerges as a possible biomarker. Oncotarget 2022; 13:347-359. [PMID: 35178191 PMCID: PMC8842791 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a precursor of the esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). BE- development and its progression to cancer is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, there is currently no molecular risk prediction model that accurately identifies patients at high risk for EAC. Here, we investigated the impact of shortened telomeres in a mouse model for Barrett esophagus (L2-IL1B). The L2-IL1B mouse model is characterized by IL-1β-mediated inflammation, which leads to a Barrett-like metaplasia in the transition zone between the squamous forestomach and glandular cardia/stomach. Telomere shortening was achieved by mTERC knockout. In the second generation (G2) of mTERC knockout L2-IL1B.mTERC−/− G2 mice exhibited telomere dysfunction with significantly shorter telomeres as measured by qFISH compared to L2-IL1B mice, correlating with stronger DNA damage in the form of phosphorylation of H2AX (γH2AX). Macroscopically, tumor area along the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) was increased in L2-IL1B.mTERC−/− G2 mice, along with increased histopathological dysplasia. In vitro studies indicated increased organoid formation capacity in BE tissue from L2-IL1B.mTERC−/− G2 mice. In addition, pilot studies of human BE-, dysplasia- and EAC tissue samples confirmed that BE epithelial cells with or without dysplasia (LGD) had shorter telomeres compared to gastric cardia tissue. Of note, differentiated goblet cells retained longer telomeres than columnar lined BE epithelium. In conclusion, our studies suggest that shortened telomeres are functionally important for tumor development in a mouse model of BE and are associated with proliferating columnar epithelium in human BE. We propose that shortened telomeres should be evaluated further as a possible biomarker of cancer risk in BE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenz Sahm
- II Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Carlo Maurer
- II Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Theresa Baumeister
- II Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Akanksha Anand
- II Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Strangmann
- II Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Roland M. Schmid
- II Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Timothy C. Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Quante
- II Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Telomerase in Cancer: Function, Regulation, and Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030808. [PMID: 35159075 PMCID: PMC8834434 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cells undergoing malignant transformation must circumvent replicative senescence and eventual cell death associated with progressive telomere shortening that occurs through successive cell division. To do so, malignant cells reactivate telomerase to extend their telomeres and achieve cellular immortality, which is a “Hallmark of Cancer”. Here we review the telomere-dependent and -independent functions of telomerase in cancer, as well as its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target to diagnose and treat cancer patients. Abstract During the process of malignant transformation, cells undergo a series of genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic alterations, including the acquisition and propagation of genomic aberrations that impart survival and proliferative advantages. These changes are mediated in part by the induction of replicative immortality that is accompanied by active telomere elongation. Indeed, telomeres undergo dynamic changes to their lengths and higher-order structures throughout tumor formation and progression, processes overseen in most cancers by telomerase. Telomerase is a multimeric enzyme whose function is exquisitely regulated through diverse transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms to facilitate telomere extension. In turn, telomerase function depends not only on its core components, but also on a suite of binding partners, transcription factors, and intra- and extracellular signaling effectors. Additionally, telomerase exhibits telomere-independent regulation of cancer cell growth by participating directly in cellular metabolism, signal transduction, and the regulation of gene expression in ways that are critical for tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the complex mechanisms underlying telomere maintenance, with a particular focus on both the telomeric and extratelomeric functions of telomerase. We also explore the clinical utility of telomeres and telomerase in the diagnosis, prognosis, and development of targeted therapies for primary, metastatic, and recurrent cancers.
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Ou A, Zhao X, Lu Z. The potential roles of p53 signaling reactivation in pancreatic cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188662. [PMID: 34861354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Globally, pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common and highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor that is characterized by an insidious onset and ready metastasis and recurrence. Over recent decades, the incidence of PC has been increasing on an annual basis; however, the pathogenesis of this condition remains enigmatic. PC is not sensitive to radio- or chemotherapy, and except for early surgical resection, there is no curative treatment regime; consequently, the prognosis for patients with PC is extremely poor. Transcription factor p53 is known to play key roles in many important biological processes in vertebrates, including normal cell growth, differentiation, cell cycle progression, senescence, apoptosis, metabolism, and DNA damage repair. However, there is a significant paucity of basic and clinical studies to describe how p53 gene mutations or protein dysfunction facilitate the occurrence, progression, invasion, and resistance to therapy, of malignancies, including PC. Herein, we describe the involvement of p53 signaling reactivation in PC treatment as well as its underlying molecular mechanisms, thereby providing useful insights for targeting p53-related signal pathways in PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixin Ou
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China
| | - Xiangxuan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China
| | - Zaiming Lu
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China.
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35
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Ou A, Zhao X, Lu Z. The potential roles of p53 signaling reactivation in pancreatic cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188662. [DOI: doi10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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36
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Abstract
Replicative immortality is a hallmark of cancer, and can be achieved through telomere lengthening and maintenance. Although the role of telomere length in cancer has been well studied, its association to genomic features is less well known. Here, we report the telomere lengths of 392 localized prostate cancer tumours and characterize their relationship to genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic features. Shorter tumour telomere lengths are associated with elevated genomic instability, including single-nucleotide variants, indels and structural variants. Genes involved in cell proliferation and signaling are correlated with tumour telomere length at all levels of the central dogma. Telomere length is also associated with multiple clinical features of a tumour. Longer telomere lengths in non-tumour samples are associated with a lower rate of biochemical relapse. In summary, we describe the multi-level integration of telomere length, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics in localized prostate cancer.
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37
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Torres-Montaner A. The telomere complex and the origin of the cancer stem cell. Biomark Res 2021; 9:81. [PMID: 34736527 PMCID: PMC8567692 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00339-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Exquisite regulation of telomere length is essential for the preservation of the lifetime function and self-renewal of stem cells. However, multiple oncogenic pathways converge on induction of telomere attrition or telomerase overexpression and these events can by themselves trigger malignant transformation. Activation of NFκB, the outcome of telomere complex damage, is present in leukemia stem cells but absent in normal stem cells and can activate DOT1L which has been linked to MLL-fusion leukemias. Tumors that arise from cells of early and late developmental stages appear to follow two different oncogenic routes in which the role of telomere and telomerase signaling might be differentially involved. In contrast, direct malignant transformation of stem cells appears to be extremely rare. This suggests an inherent resistance of stem cells to cancer transformation which could be linked to a stem cell’specific mechanism of telomere maintenance. However, tumor protection of normal stem cells could also be conferred by cell extrinsic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Torres-Montaner
- Department of Pathology, Queen's Hospital, Rom Valley Way, London, Romford, RM7 OAG, UK. .,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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38
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Association between haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and cancers. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 113:127-135. [PMID: 34653656 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the risk of haematologic and solid organ malignancies in patients with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) compared with the general population. METHODS This propensity-score-matched cohort study was conducted using data collected from the Korean national health insurance service (NHIS) between January 2003 and December 2017. The HFRS cohort included 5888 newly diagnosed cases of HFRS, and 412,804 general participants from the NHIS database were included as the control cohort. The incidence rate of malignancies was assessed and compared between the HFRS and control cohorts. RESULTS There were 64 cases of haematologic malignancy in 236,286 person-years of observation, and 1245 cases of solid organ cancer in 209,333 person-years. The risks of haematologic malignancy and solid organ cancer were significantly higher in the HFRS cohort [adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 4.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.36-7.14] than the control cohort [aHR 2.97, 95% CI 2.60-3.38). In subgroup analysis, the HFRS cohort was associated with high hazard ratios for leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The HFRS cohort also had increased aHRs for all types of solid organ cancer. CONCLUSIONS Patients with HFRS are at increased risk of both haematologic and solid organ malignancies compared with the general population, and this increased proportionally over time. Careful monitoring for malignancy after the onset of HFRS may be necessary.
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Schratz KE, Gaysinskaya V, Cosner ZL, DeBoy EA, Xiang Z, Kasch-Semenza L, Florea L, Shah PD, Armanios M. Somatic reversion impacts evolution of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia in the short telomere disorders. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e147598. [PMID: 34343137 DOI: 10.1172/jci147598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germline mutations in telomerase and other telomere maintenance genes manifest in the premature aging short telomere syndromes. Myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) account for 75% of associated malignancies, but how these cancers overcome the inherited telomere defect is unknown. METHODS We used ultra-deep targeted sequencing to detect somatic reversion mutations in 17 candidate telomere lengthening genes among controls and short telomere syndrome patients with and without MDS/AML and we tested the functional significance of these mutations. RESULTS While no controls carried somatic mutations in telomere maintenance genes, 29% (16 of 56) of adults with germline telomere maintenance defects carried at least one (P<0.001) and 13% (7 of 56) had 2 or more. In addition to TERT promoter mutations which were present in 19%, we identified POT1 and TERF2IP mutations in 13%. POT1 mutations impaired telomere binding in vitro and some mutations were identical to ones seen in familial melanoma associated with longer telomere length. Exclusively in patients with germline defects in telomerase RNA (TR), we identified somatic mutations in nuclear RNA exosome genes, RBM7, SKIV2L2, and DIS3, where loss-of-function upregulates mature TR levels. Somatic reversion events in six telomere-related genes were more prevalent in patients who were MDS/AML-free (P = 0.02, RR 4.4, 95% CI 1.2-16.7), and no MDS/AML patient had more than one reversion mutation. CONCLUSIONS Our data identify diverse adaptive somatic mechanisms in the short telomere syndrome; they raise the possibility that their presence alleviates the telomere crisis that promotes transformation to MDS/AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Schratz
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Valeriya Gaysinskaya
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Zoe L Cosner
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Emily A DeBoy
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Zhimin Xiang
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Laura Kasch-Semenza
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Liliana Florea
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Pali D Shah
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Mary Armanios
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
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40
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Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length Is Associated with Worse Survival of Patients with Bladder Cancer and Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153774. [PMID: 34359672 PMCID: PMC8345040 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Intrinsic telomere shortening promotes tumorigenesis in cells with impaired DNA damage repair mechanisms, as dysfunctional telomeres lead to chromosomal instability. More recent data show that the telomere length of peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) cells can be a prognostic marker for survival of patients with solid tumors. However, reports on bladder cancer (BC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are not consistent and partly contradictory. Our results show, first, that telomere length is shorter in patients with BC or RCC compared to patients without malignant disease. More importantly, the relative telomere length (RTL) of PBL cells is associated with survival of patients with BC and RCC. Thus, telomere length in PBL cells could be an auxiliary prognostic marker in BC and RCC. Abstract Background: Telomeres are protein–DNA complexes at the tips of linear chromosomes. They protect the DNA from end-to-end fusion and exonucleolytic degradation. Shortening of telomeric DNA during aging can generate dysfunctional telomeres, promoting tumorigenesis. More recent data indicate that both short and long telomeres of peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) cells can serve as prognostic biomarkers for cancer risk and may be associated with survival of patients with solid cancers. Telomere length in PBL cells could also be a potential prognostic biomarker for survival in bladder cancer (BC) or renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: The relative telomere length (RTL) of PBL cells was assessed in patients with BC (n = 144) and RCC (n = 144) by using qPCR. A control population of patients without malignant disease (NC, n = 73) was included for comparison. The correlation and association of RTL with histopathological parameters and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Results: Patients with BC and RCC had significantly shorter telomeres compared to patients without malignant disease. Within the cancer cohorts, multivariate analysis revealed that short RTL is an independent predictor of worse survival in BC (p = 0.039) and RCC (p = 0.041). Conclusion: Patients with BC and RCC had significantly shorter telomeres compared to the normal population. Shorter RTL in BC and RCC was an independent predictor of reduced survival.
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41
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Telomere dysfunction instigates inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2024853118. [PMID: 34253611 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2024853118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition driven by diverse genetic and nongenetic programs that converge to disrupt immune homeostasis in the intestine. We have reported that, in murine intestinal epithelium with telomere dysfunction, DNA damage-induced activation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) results in ATM-mediated phosphorylation and activation of the YAP1 transcriptional coactivator, which in turn up-regulates pro-IL-18, a pivotal immune regulator in IBD pathogenesis. Moreover, individuals with germline defects in telomere maintenance genes experience increased occurrence of intestinal inflammation and show activation of the ATM/YAP1/pro-IL-18 pathway in the intestinal epithelium. Here, we sought to determine the relevance of the ATM/YAP1/pro-IL-18 pathway as a potential driver of IBD, particularly older-onset IBD. Analysis of intestinal biopsy specimens and organoids from older-onset IBD patients documented the presence of telomere dysfunction and activation of the ATM/YAP1/precursor of interleukin 18 (pro-IL-18) pathway in the intestinal epithelium. Employing intestinal organoids from healthy individuals, we demonstrated that experimental induction of telomere dysfunction activates this inflammatory pathway. In organoid models from ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients, pharmacological interventions of telomerase reactivation, suppression of DNA damage signaling, or YAP1 inhibition reduced pro-IL-18 production. Together, these findings support a model wherein telomere dysfunction in the intestinal epithelium can initiate the inflammatory process in IBD, pointing to therapeutic interventions for this disease.
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42
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Lee JH, Hong J, Zhang Z, de la Peña Avalos B, Proietti CJ, Deamicis AR, Guzmán G P, Lam HM, Garcia J, Roudier MP, Sisk AE, De La Rosa R, Vu K, Yang M, Liao Y, Scheirer J, Pechacek D, Yadav P, Rao MK, Zheng S, Johnson-Pais TL, Leach RJ, Elizalde PV, Dray E, Xu K. Regulation of telomere homeostasis and genomic stability in cancer by N 6-adenosine methylation (m 6A). SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/31/eabg7073. [PMID: 34321211 PMCID: PMC8318370 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg7073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The role of RNA methylation on N 6-adenosine (m6A) in cancer has been acknowledged, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we identified homeobox containing 1 (HMBOX1) as an authentic target mRNA of m6A machinery, which is highly methylated in malignant cells compared to the normal counterparts and subject to expedited degradation upon the modification. m6A-mediated down-regulation of HMBOX1 causes telomere dysfunction and inactivation of p53 signaling, which leads to chromosome abnormalities and aggressive phenotypes. CRISPR-based, m6A-editing tools further prove that the methyl groups on HMBOX1 per se contribute to the generation of altered cancer genome. In multiple types of human cancers, expression of the RNA methyltransferase METTL3 is negatively correlated with the telomere length but favorably with fractions of altered cancer genome, whereas HMBOX1 mRNA levels show the opposite patterns. Our work suggests that the cancer-driving genomic alterations may potentially be fixed by rectifying particular epitranscriptomic program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Lee
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Juyeong Hong
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Bárbara de la Peña Avalos
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Cecilia J Proietti
- Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis and Molecular Endocrinology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Agustina Roldán Deamicis
- Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis and Molecular Endocrinology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Pablo Guzmán G
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco Casilla 54-D, Chile
| | - Hung-Ming Lam
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jose Garcia
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Martine P Roudier
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Anthony E Sisk
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Richard De La Rosa
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Kevin Vu
- Department of Medical Education, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yiji Liao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jessica Scheirer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Douglas Pechacek
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Pooja Yadav
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Manjeet K Rao
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Siyuan Zheng
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Teresa L Johnson-Pais
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Robin J Leach
- Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Patricia V Elizalde
- Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis and Molecular Endocrinology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Eloïse Dray
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Kexin Xu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Walter K, Rodriguez-Aznar E, Ferreira MSV, Frappart PO, Dittrich T, Tiwary K, Meessen S, Lerma L, Daiss N, Schulte LA, Najafova Z, Arnold F, Usachov V, Azoitei N, Erkan M, Lechel A, Brümmendorf TH, Seufferlein T, Kleger A, Tabarés E, Günes C, Johnsen SA, Beier F, Sainz B, Hermann PC. Telomerase and Pluripotency Factors Jointly Regulate Stemness in Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133145. [PMID: 34201898 PMCID: PMC8268125 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess the role of telomerase activity and telomere length in pancreatic CSCs we used different CSC enrichment methods (CD133, ALDH, sphere formation) in primary patient-derived pancreatic cancer cells. We show that CSCs have higher telomerase activity and longer telomeres than bulk tumor cells. Inhibition of telomerase activity, using genetic knockdown or pharmacological inhibitor (BIBR1532), resulted in CSC marker depletion, abrogation of sphere formation in vitro and reduced tumorigenicity in vivo. Furthermore, we identify a positive feedback loop between stemness factors (NANOG, OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4) and telomerase, which is essential for the self-renewal of CSCs. Disruption of the balance between telomerase activity and stemness factors eliminates CSCs via induction of DNA damage and apoptosis in primary patient-derived pancreatic cancer samples, opening future perspectives to avoid CSC-driven tumor relapse. In the present study, we demonstrate that telomerase regulation is critical for the "stemness" maintenance in pancreatic CSCs and examine the effects of telomerase inhibition as a potential treatment option of pancreatic cancer. This may significantly promote our understanding of PDAC tumor biology and may result in improved treatment for pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolin Walter
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Eva Rodriguez-Aznar
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Monica S. Ventura Ferreira
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, 52062 Aachen, Germany; (M.S.V.F.); (T.H.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Pierre-Olivier Frappart
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tabea Dittrich
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Kanishka Tiwary
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Sabine Meessen
- Department of Urology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Laura Lerma
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Microbiology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (L.L.); (E.T.)
| | - Nora Daiss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Lucas-Alexander Schulte
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Zeynab Najafova
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Frank Arnold
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Valentyn Usachov
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Ninel Azoitei
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Mert Erkan
- Department of Surgery, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Andre Lechel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Tim H. Brümmendorf
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, 52062 Aachen, Germany; (M.S.V.F.); (T.H.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Thomas Seufferlein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Alexander Kleger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Enrique Tabarés
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Microbiology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (L.L.); (E.T.)
| | - Cagatay Günes
- Department of Urology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Steven A. Johnsen
- Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and Molecular Epigenetics Lab, Gastroenterology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Fabian Beier
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, 52062 Aachen, Germany; (M.S.V.F.); (T.H.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Bruno Sainz
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Cancer Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (IIBM), CSIC-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Chronic Diseases and Cancer, Area 3—Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrick C. Hermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Centre Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (K.W.); (E.R.-A.); (P.-O.F.); (T.D.); (K.T.); (N.D.); (L.-A.S.); (F.A.); (V.U.); (N.A.); (A.L.); (T.S.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-731-500-44736
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Chronowski C, Akhanov V, Chan D, Catic A, Finegold M, Sahin E. Fructose Causes Liver Damage, Polyploidy, and Dysplasia in the Setting of Short Telomeres and p53 Loss. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11060394. [PMID: 34204343 PMCID: PMC8234056 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11060394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in humans and model systems have established an important role of short telomeres in predisposing to liver fibrosis through pathways that are incompletely understood. Recent studies have shown that telomere dysfunction impairs cellular metabolism, but whether and how these metabolic alterations contribute to liver fibrosis is not well understood. Here, we investigated whether short telomeres change the hepatic response to metabolic stress induced by fructose, a sugar that is highly implicated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We find that telomere shortening in telomerase knockout mice (TKO) imparts a pronounced susceptibility to fructose as reflected in the activation of p53, increased apoptosis, and senescence, despite lower hepatic fat accumulation in TKO mice compared to wild type mice with long telomeres. The decreased fat accumulation in TKO is mediated by p53 and deletion of p53 normalizes hepatic fat content but also causes polyploidy, polynuclearization, dysplasia, cell death, and liver damage. Together, these studies suggest that liver tissue with short telomers are highly susceptible to fructose and respond with p53 activation and liver damage that is further exacerbated when p53 is lost resulting in dysplastic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Chronowski
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.C.); (V.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Viktor Akhanov
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.C.); (V.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Doug Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Andre Catic
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.C.); (V.A.); (A.C.)
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Milton Finegold
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Ergün Sahin
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.C.); (V.A.); (A.C.)
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-798-6685; Fax: +1-713-798-4146
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Tsai CW, Chang WS, Xu J, Xu Y, Huang M, Pettaway C, Bau DT, Gu J. Leukocyte telomere length is associated with aggressive prostate cancer in localized African American prostate cancer patients. Carcinogenesis 2021; 41:1213-1218. [PMID: 32614411 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres play important roles in cancer initiation and progression. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been associated with the risk and prognosis of several cancers, but its association with prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis in African Americans (AAs) has not been reported. In this study, we measured relative LTL from 317 AA PCa patients and assessed its associations with aggressive disease characteristics at diagnosis and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy. LTL was shorter in patients with higher Gleason scores (GS) at diagnosis. Dichotomized into short and long LTL groups, patients with short LTL exhibited a 1.91-fold (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.14-3.20, P = 0.013) increased risk of being diagnosed with high-risk disease (GS =7 [4 + 3] and GS ≥8) than those with long LTL in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Moreover, shorter LTL was significantly associated with an increased risk of BCR (hazard ratio = 1.68, 95% CI, 1.18-11.44, P = 0.024) compared with longer LTL in localized patients receiving prostatectomy or radiotherapy in multivariable Cox analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed patients with short LTL had significantly shorter BCR-free survival time than patients with long LTL (Log rank P = 0.011). In conclusion, our results showed for the first time that LTL was shorter in PCa patients with higher GS and short LTL was associated with worse prognosis in AA PCa patients receiving prostatectomy or radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wen Tsai
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Shin Chang
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Junfeng Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yifan Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maosheng Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Curtis Pettaway
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Da-Tian Bau
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jian Gu
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Jahnson S, Söderkvist P, Aljabery F, Olsson H. Telomerase reverse transcriptase mutation and the p53 pathway in T1 urinary bladder cancer. BJU Int 2021; 129:601-609. [PMID: 34028171 DOI: 10.1111/bju.15490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mutation and the p53 pathway in T1 urinary bladder cancer (UBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospectively performed population-based study included all patients in the Southeast Healthcare Region in Sweden with T1 UBC registered in the period 1992-2001, inclusive. Given that p53 and TERT are important factors for tumour proliferation, although their interrelationships are unknown, we assessed both the TERT and the p53 mutations. Furthermore, we conducted a p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis using two thresholds for p53 positivity: 10% of tumour cells and 50% of tumour cells (p53 IHC50%). Cox proportional hazards analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to study time to tumour progression. RESULTS Out of 158 patients, we observed the TERT mutation in 74 (47%), the p53 mutation in 48 (30%), and p53 IHC50% positivity in 72 patients (46%). The TERT mutation was more common in p53 mutation-positive patients (P = 0.009), and the latter group also had more patients with p53 IHC50%-positive tumour cells (P = 0.02). In the TERT mutation-negative tumours a p53-positive mutation was associated with a shorter time to progression (P = 0.03) compared to patients with p53-negative mutation. In contrast, in tumours with both TERT mutation positivity and p53 mutation positivity, a longer time to progression was observed in the group with p53 IHC50% positivity compared to the group with p53 IHC50%-negative tumours. CONCLUSIONS In stage T1 UBC, the combination of the TERT mutation and the p53 mutation was associated with tumour progression. A protective effect of the TERT promotor mutation against tumour progression induced by the p53 mutation and subsequent p53 accumulation in tumour cells might be possible, but further investigations are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Staffan Jahnson
- Division of Urology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Sweden
| | - Peter Söderkvist
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Biosciences, Sweden
| | - Firas Aljabery
- Division of Urology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Sweden
| | - Hans Olsson
- Department of Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Medical Faculty, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Inhibition of Autophagy at Different Stages by ATG5 Knockdown and Chloroquine Supplementation Enhances Consistent Human Disc Cellular Apoptosis and Senescence Induction rather than Extracellular Matrix Catabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083965. [PMID: 33921398 PMCID: PMC8069032 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The intervertebral disc is the largest avascular organ. Autophagy is an important cell survival mechanism by self-digestion and recycling damaged components under stress, primarily nutrient deprivation. Resident cells would utilize autophagy to cope with the harsh disc environment. Our objective was to elucidate the roles of human disc cellular autophagy. In human disc cells, serum deprivation and pro-inflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulation increased autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II and decreased autophagy substrate p62/sequestosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1), indicating enhanced autophagy. Then, RNA interference (RNAi) of autophagy-related gene 5 (ATG5), essential for autophagy, showed decreases in ATG5 protein (26.8%–27.4%, p < 0.0001), which suppressed early-stage autophagy with decreased LC3-II and increased p62/SQSTM1. Cell viability was maintained by ATG5 RNAi in serum-supplemented media (95.5%, p = 0.28) but reduced in serum-free media (80.4%, p = 0.0013) with IL-1β (69.9%, p = 0.0008). Moreover, ATG5 RNAi accelerated IL-1β-induced changes in apoptosis and senescence. Meanwhile, ATG5 RNAi unaffected IL-1β-induced catabolic matrix metalloproteinase release, down-regulated anabolic gene expression, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation. Lysosomotropic chloroquine supplementation presented late-stage autophagy inhibition with apoptosis and senescence induction, while catabolic enzyme production was modest. Disc-tissue analysis detected age-related changes in ATG5, LC3-II, and p62/SQSTM1. In summary, autophagy protects against human disc cellular apoptosis and senescence rather than extracellular matrix catabolism.
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Cheng Q, Wu Y, Xia H, Song X. RGL2 as an age-dependent factor regulates colon cancer progression. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2190-2201. [PMID: 33995912 PMCID: PMC8102141 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, and exhibited clinical differences among patients of different ages, including malignancy, metastasis, and mortality rate. Few studies, however, focus on the communications between aging and colon cancer. Here we identified age-dependent differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in colon cancer using TCGA transcriptome data. Through analyzing multi-omics high throughput data, including ATAC-Seq, DNaseI-Seq and ChIP-Seq, we obtained six age-dependent transcription factors in colon cancer, and their age-dependent targets, significantly affecting patients' overall survivals. Transcription factor ETS1 potentially functioned in both aging process and colon cancer progression through regulating its targets, RGL2 and SLC2A3. In addition, comparing with its relative lower expression levels in elderly patients, higher levels of RGL2 were detected in young patients, and significantly associated with larger tumor size, higher metastasis, and invasions of colon cancer, consistent with the clinical traits that young patients' colon cancer exhibited late stages with more aggressiveness. Thus, these elements may serve as keys linking aging and colon cancer, and providing new insights and basis for mechanism researches, as well as diagnosis and therapies of colon cancer, especially in young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Yupeng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, China
| | - Honghai Xia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
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Furuie H, Arimura-Omori M, Hamada N, Yanagihara T, Kiyohara C. The Association of Aging-Related Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Lung Cancer: A Case-Control Study in a Japanese Population. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2021; 22:1279-1285. [PMID: 33906323 PMCID: PMC8325147 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.4.1279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length is associated with cancer as well as aging. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), telomere RNA component (TERC) and oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding fold containing 1 (OBFC1) are known to be involved in telomere length regulation. The tumor suppressor p53 (TP53), which has been shown to interact with tumor protein p53-binding protein 1 (TP53BP1), is implicated in the response to telomere shortening and aging. Polymorphisms in the TP53 and TP53BP1 genes are associated with various types of cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of aging-related polymorphisms on lung cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case-control study consists of 462 lung cancer cases and 379 controls from Japan. We examined the effect of TERT rs2736100, TERC rs1881984, OBFC1 rs11191865, TP53 rs1042522 and TP53BP1 rs560191 on the risk of lung cancer using a Taq-Man real-time PCR assay. Unconditional logistic regression was used to assess the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS None of the main effects of any of the telomere-related polymorphisms were related to the risk of lung cancer. Similarly, none of the interactive effects of any of the telomere-related polymorphisms with smoking were associated with lung cancer risk. The significant multiplicative interaction between TERT rs2736100 and TP53BP1 rs560191 was statistically significant (OR for interaction = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.14-0.84). The multiplicative interaction between OBFC1 rs11191865 and TP53BP1 rs560191 was also statistically significant (OR for interaction = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.02-5.87) but the OR for interaction was in the opposite direction. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that TP53BP1 rs560191 may predispose to lung cancer risk depending on the genotypes of telomere-related polymorphisms. Additional studies are warranted to confirm the findings suggested in the present study.<br />.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironobu Furuie
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masako Arimura-Omori
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naoki Hamada
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toyoshi Yanagihara
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Chikako Kiyohara
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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50
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Benslimane Y, Sánchez‐Osuna M, Coulombe‐Huntington J, Bertomeu T, Henry D, Huard C, Bonneil É, Thibault P, Tyers M, Harrington L. A novel p53 regulator, C16ORF72/TAPR1, buffers against telomerase inhibition. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13331. [PMID: 33660365 PMCID: PMC8045932 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere erosion in cells with insufficient levels of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), contributes to age-associated tissue dysfunction and senescence, and p53 plays a crucial role in this response. We undertook a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify gene deletions that sensitized p53-positive human cells to telomerase inhibition. We uncovered a previously unannotated gene, C16ORF72, which we term Telomere Attrition and p53 Response 1 (TAPR1), that exhibited a synthetic-sick relationship with TERT loss. A subsequent genome-wide CRISPR screen in TAPR1-disrupted cells reciprocally identified TERT as a sensitizing gene deletion. Cells lacking TAPR1 or TERT possessed elevated p53 levels and transcriptional signatures consistent with p53 upregulation. The elevated p53 response in TERT- or TAPR1-deficient cells was exacerbated by treatment with the MDM2 inhibitor and p53 stabilizer nutlin-3a and coincided with a further reduction in cell fitness. Importantly, the sensitivity to treatment with nutlin-3a in TERT- or TAPR1-deficient cells was rescued by loss of p53. These data suggest that TAPR1 buffers against the deleterious consequences of telomere erosion or DNA damage by constraining p53. These findings identify C16ORF72/TAPR1 as new regulator at the nexus of telomere integrity and p53 regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahya Benslimane
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - María Sánchez‐Osuna
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | | | - Thierry Bertomeu
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Danielle Henry
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Caroline Huard
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Éric Bonneil
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Pierre Thibault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
- Department of ChemistryUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Mike Tyers
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Lea Harrington
- Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
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